1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The play begins in a doctor's office in New York City in July 1981, with a group of gay men, including the main character Ned. The doctor is also an important character, her name is Emma, and they are all confused and affected by a new disease attacking gay men.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion comes early on when Craig dies from the disease, which gives us an idea of how dangerous the disease is, which kickstarts further actions and opinions concerning the disease and what Ned, Bruce, Emma, Mickey, and others will do after this happens.
3. What is the unique factor?
The play is unique because it fast forwards here and there, making it difficult to follow at times. There are also multiple similar characters, which adds suspense because it is a constant worry of whether or not one character will make it to the end of the play.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Who all will be infected that is involved as a character in the play? Will the men ever have success? We know of Felix being infected and Bruce's lover, Albert, but it is still a mystery whether or not any of the main characters are carrying the disease. The men did not quite have success in the end of the play, but it is still a question that will remain lingering after the play ends, considering Ned was no longer a part of the group.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The first exposition is the obvious one at the beginning where we are introduced to the characters and the setting. The next exposition comes when Ned and Felix have a romantic date, which gives us a change in which Ned takes a leap into something he fears which also seems to ground him during the rest of the play.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical part of the play comes when the men from the organization finally gets a meeting with the mayor's assistant, in which argument ensues. The arguments create even more tension for the group, which also seems to be a deciding factor to make the political side of the issue more difficult and tense for the rest of the play.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
An important theme is the role that politics have on the lives of many. Politics and social values make it harder for people to get basic human rights or support based on their race, class, gender, or sexual orientation. Another theme is the importance of teamwork. The men could not get the message out alone, so they created an organization which soon blew up and started a movement.
8. What does Ned want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Ned wants publicity for the issue of the disease, but he wants the publicity to be blunt. The people around him and society make this difficult as being gay was something that was still considered to be something that people want to keep hush about. Others comply with this standard, which makes it harder for Ned to get to where he wants to get. This is especially difficult considering Ned is at constant war with himself and his outbursts of anger that make it difficult for him to communicate effectively with others.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
A very important image is the image of the sickly characters with the purple spots, which give us an idea of how horrible the disease is. Another image is the scene where Felix refuses to take good care of himself by eating well and Ned gets very emotional. This shows Ned's soft side, but also shows how this disease affects more than just those diagnosed.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family relationships are rather unimportant to most characters in the play as they have moved away from home and also fear their family as they have not come out as gay to them. On the other hand, family is important to Ned because he and his brother Ben are very close with each other, especially after their parents die. Their relationship is complicated, which gives a realistic view of family relationships and how homosexuality is perceived in a family situation, sometimes.
The play begins in a doctor's office in New York City in July 1981, with a group of gay men, including the main character Ned. The doctor is also an important character, her name is Emma, and they are all confused and affected by a new disease attacking gay men.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion comes early on when Craig dies from the disease, which gives us an idea of how dangerous the disease is, which kickstarts further actions and opinions concerning the disease and what Ned, Bruce, Emma, Mickey, and others will do after this happens.
3. What is the unique factor?
The play is unique because it fast forwards here and there, making it difficult to follow at times. There are also multiple similar characters, which adds suspense because it is a constant worry of whether or not one character will make it to the end of the play.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Who all will be infected that is involved as a character in the play? Will the men ever have success? We know of Felix being infected and Bruce's lover, Albert, but it is still a mystery whether or not any of the main characters are carrying the disease. The men did not quite have success in the end of the play, but it is still a question that will remain lingering after the play ends, considering Ned was no longer a part of the group.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The first exposition is the obvious one at the beginning where we are introduced to the characters and the setting. The next exposition comes when Ned and Felix have a romantic date, which gives us a change in which Ned takes a leap into something he fears which also seems to ground him during the rest of the play.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical part of the play comes when the men from the organization finally gets a meeting with the mayor's assistant, in which argument ensues. The arguments create even more tension for the group, which also seems to be a deciding factor to make the political side of the issue more difficult and tense for the rest of the play.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
An important theme is the role that politics have on the lives of many. Politics and social values make it harder for people to get basic human rights or support based on their race, class, gender, or sexual orientation. Another theme is the importance of teamwork. The men could not get the message out alone, so they created an organization which soon blew up and started a movement.
8. What does Ned want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Ned wants publicity for the issue of the disease, but he wants the publicity to be blunt. The people around him and society make this difficult as being gay was something that was still considered to be something that people want to keep hush about. Others comply with this standard, which makes it harder for Ned to get to where he wants to get. This is especially difficult considering Ned is at constant war with himself and his outbursts of anger that make it difficult for him to communicate effectively with others.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
A very important image is the image of the sickly characters with the purple spots, which give us an idea of how horrible the disease is. Another image is the scene where Felix refuses to take good care of himself by eating well and Ned gets very emotional. This shows Ned's soft side, but also shows how this disease affects more than just those diagnosed.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family relationships are rather unimportant to most characters in the play as they have moved away from home and also fear their family as they have not come out as gay to them. On the other hand, family is important to Ned because he and his brother Ben are very close with each other, especially after their parents die. Their relationship is complicated, which gives a realistic view of family relationships and how homosexuality is perceived in a family situation, sometimes.